[Event "vincentmasuka's Study: Magnus Carlsen -"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/Sch"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Result "*"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/vincentmasuka"] [Variant "From Position"] [ECO "?"] [Opening "?"] [FEN "r1b1k2r/ppb1qpp1/2p4p/2n1p3/4P3/1BP2NPP/PP1N2P1/R2Q1RK1 w kq - 0 15"] [SetUp "1"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/yUV2RCZJ/eO0MSOpw"] [Orientation "white"] { Magnus has played a sideline to avoid Caruana's Petroff defense, but he has ended up in a dubious situation. Black has the pair of bishops and a healthier structure, and Magnus’ urge to strike before Caruana consolidates is understandable. Magnus tries a sacrifice, which ends up winning material, although a quieter move by white would objectively have been better. } 15. Bxf7+ { It’s not easy to see that this doesn’t work. Black is walking on a thin line on the next few moves, but that’s precisely capable of doing. Taking on f7 with the queen would allow white to play Nf3xe5 with a discovered attack on the queen while preparing Qd1-h5. Not surprisingly, Caruana found the best defense. } { [%cal Ge7f7,Gf3e5,Gd1h5] } (15. Bc4 { [%csl Gg3,Gg2,Gc7,Gc8] }) 15... Kxf7 { It looks insane to allow a discovered check - but it works! Similar descriptions can be used about many of Caruana’s moves. } 16. Nxe5+ Kg8 { Once again, Black found the only move. } 17. Ng6 { With this fork, White regains the sacrificed material and even ends up ahead. However, counting material is not enough to give an accurate assessment. Black is about to get a serious initiative, and White’s king is in permanent trouble. } 17... Qg5 18. Rf8+ Kh7 19. Nxh8 { White has a material advantage, but the price is high. This knight will never get out, and there are even darker clouds hanging over White. } 19... Bg4 { Suddenly both the queen and rook are under attack. The complications are far from over. } { [%cal Gg4d1,Ga8f8] } 20. Qf1 Nd3 { [%csl Gd3,Gg4,Gf8,Gh8,Ga8] } 21. Qxd3 { With so many pieces hanging for both players, they have to play accurately. White can't take the rook, as 21.Rxa8 Qe3+ 22.Kh1 Qxg3 is completely winning for Black. } 21... Rxf8 22. hxg4 { [%csl Gh8] } 22... Qxg4 { White has an extra knight, but let's not have too high hopes for the one in the corner. } 23. Nf3 Qxg3 24. e5+ Kxh8 { The material is equal, but Black has a huge positional advantage. White pinned his hopes on the passed e-pawn, but it’s not enough. } { [%csl Ge5] } 25. e6 Bb6+ 26. Kh1 Qg4 { Caruana continued to play precisely. Without the e-pawn, White is left without counterplay, and White must always worry about a check on the h-file. } { [%cal Gg4e6] } 27. Qd6 { Magnus's queen must keep the pawn protected, but this is easier said than done. } 27... Rd8 28. Qe5 Rd5 29. Qb8+ Kh7 30. e7 Qh5+ { [%cal Gb8h2,Gh5e8] } 31. Nh2 { The alternative 31.Qh2 would be more stubborn, but Magnus wanted to hang on to the passed pawn as long as possible. White’s problem is that after 31...Qe8 Black is threatening both the e-pawn and Rd5-h5. } 31... Rd1+ 32. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 33. Nf1 Qxf1+ 34. Kh2 Qg1+ { White has lost a knight, and after a queen check on the next move, the e-pawn will drop as well. Magnus resigned. Quite a performance by Caruana! } { [%cal Gh2h3,Gg1e3,Ge3e7] } *